Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - He and Caroline agree that it is 'poor work' seeing North Italian cities at the beginning of January; the contrast between the North and South of the Apennines is very great: even so early the Val d'Arno was lovely. Expects the 'quiet life' at Welcombe will soon 'set him up'. Much interested by Robert and Bessie's accounts of the New Year festivities at Aulla [Fortezza della Brunella, home of the Waterfields]; could not find an account of the siege in Gregorovius as he ends in 1527, so must look it up in Sismondi. Parliament has been dissolved [for the general election]; they have a 'very energetic candidate' [Thomas Kincaid-Smith]' at Stratford who 'has canvassed the whole division in a motor' and is 'learning some politics as he goes along'. There are plenty of 'humorous incidents all about', including at Elland [Charles's constituency]. Balfour 'kicked off at the beginning of a football match [at Manchester United] and Sir James Fergusson in the middle' and both were 'hooted'; comments on 'such a function' being given to 'a London swell, born in 1832, who was wounded at Inkerman! [Fergusson]'. Is finishing Bergk [his edition of the Greek lyric poets] with the help of Weir Smith [Herbert Weir Smyth]; an excellent book recommended to him by 'dear Jebb'. Sends love to Bessie; the [new] piano has come and 'looks beautiful'.
Trinity College - If an order is not made for the printing of RJ's book by the end of May it cannot be done till October or November: 'By the bye it has occurred to me that your way of beginning by talking about the definition of wealth is both uninviting and unnecessary. Cannot you manage to introduce the definition their when you first want it, and make your start more characteristic of the views you are going to take?' Charles Babbage has heard in Rome that he is Lucasian Professor 'and is full of gratitude and delight at the honor...Nothing can be better or prettier than all he writes about it'. Rose [Hugh James Rose] says that RJ should read Sismondi's work about Italy. WW hopes RJ has 'not split your head with Niebuhr.
Acknowledges receipt of the last two volumes of his history of the Italian Republic